Author: gatekat and starshield on LJ
Pairing: Prowl/Soundwave
Rating:
Codes: Crossover,
Summary:
Disclaimer: The authors are only playing with their own twisted muses. Transformers belong to Hasbro. Fandom-side, check the inspirations page (anhrefn-hyfryd .livejournal .com/22919 .html) We draw from a ton of amazing stories and authors you should read.
Notes: klik = 1 minute; breem = 8.3 minutes; joor = 6.3 hours; orn = day/32 joor; metacycle = 6 (5.9285) years; vorn = 83 years/14 metacycles
~text~ bond/hardline talk
::text:: comm chatter
At All Costs 23: Crossroads
Prowl stared at the datapad, at the same analysis he had been looking at for over a breem. There had been no changes, and not even the twinges from his programming could force his processor to focus on the task at hand.
His first full shift since Hook had completed the repairs from Prowl's punishment and he had been unable to accomplish much at his workstation. Giving up, he had downloaded the most important projects and returned to the quarters he shared with Soundwave, hoping that he would be able to function better there.
He had found himself alone, a situation he had expected but hoped against anyway. Even the company of Frenzy or Rumble was preferable to being alone like this, where his thoughts and doubts could overtake him, pulling his processor into a loop he couldn't escape from unaided.
He realized, after he placed the butting against his leg as Ravage demanding his attention, that an additional three breems had passed with him unawares.
"There you are," Ravage sounded a little too relieved. "Soundwave heard you go into a loop all the way in medbay."
Prowl winced at the reminder of his lover's current location, still recovering from the punishment Megatron had chosen to bestow on the host for daring to call a retreat when they had been 'winning'. Dropping the datapad he ran a hand over the symbiots head.
"Thank you for coming. I will strive to avoid stressing him so when he needs to focus on other things."
"How about talking it out instead," Ravage suggested, resting her head on his lap. "Soundwave has recovered enough to plan."
"To plan? The next massacre?" There was a bitter edge to Prowl's voice as he motioned to the datapad before. For that was all it was, when it was said and done. Now that he was actually looking for it Megatron's mental state was much clearer to Prowl, his actions driving the Praxian away as Prowl saw the truth for himself.
Sensor wings started to tremble, frustration and anger building in the seated mech until he got himself under control. "When Hook releases him..." Prowl said quietly.
"To plan whatever will soothe you," Ravage said quietly. "He can hear and speak through me. Talk to us, Prowl."
"I was wrong. This, is wrong." Prowl was exhausted. "I can't. Can't-." He flinched, his spark protesting at what Megatron was asking him to do. He couldn't plan another take over, not after seeing how his last plan had been utilized. How many had suffered and deactivated because of it.
But his spark hurt to at the only solution he could come up with, the only way out. "Can't plan. Can't leave."
"Defect," the answer came smoothly, easily, from the symbiot. "You can leave."
"No." Prowl looked at Ravage, thankful for the devoted symbiot but wishing it was Soundwave here with him. So he could try to make him understand. "Not and leave you behind."
Ravage paused, her head cocked slightly. "Soundwave says you can do more good as an Autobot. We would join you as soon as we can end the mess Soundwave created."
Prowl didn't know if he should growl or cry. Soundwave taking the blame for the mess they were in, or pushing him away because it seemed to be in Prowl's best interest.
"You would intend to join me." He corrected quietly, his battle computer pushing the odds at him. They were in a war. Soundwave was currently on the side of the Decepticons, had created a prominent place for himself there. Prowl was a Decepticon in name as well, a name he had chosen freely.
There was no guarantee the Autobots would accept him. There was no guarantee a Neutral wouldn't shoot him on sight.
Ravage stilled once more before speaking. "Can you plan a way for us to end the war quickly?" she asked quietly, uneasily.
"Kill Megatron. And take out Shockwave as well." Prowl responded quietly, quickly. It sounded simple, and it was. Simple and truthful.
There were others among the Decepticon ranks who could plan. Some who could even lead. But there weren't any who had the charisma or the sheer strength to hold the Decepticons together as they were now.
If both of those mech were taken out the chance that the faction would shatter was immense. It would be messy, chaotic. Those suddenly without direction would attack whatever they could find. Thousands would die.
Prowl flinched. There were so many flaws in the plan, so many details he didn't have or couldn't plan. If the Autobots knew there might be a chance of controlling the resulting chaos, but they were leaderless and floundering around themselves at the moment.
"Not quickly." He admitted quietly, painfully.
"We will discuss details later," Ravage vented, resting her head on Prowl's leg. "Shockwave is the one you need to focus on. Megatron can be dealt with. The goal ... Soundwave or you take over, hold on to enough officers to manage a functional surrender. Starscream if we must."
Prowl allowed himself a small laugh, the general attitude of the symbiots towards the air commander well known to him, and in his opinion well deserved. "How long until Hook is willing to let you go?"
"Next orn," she grumbled. "Well before Megatron gets loose again."
"Soon enough, and time for you to rest." Prowl commented quietly, reaching for the datapad he had been working on with an entirely new angle for this assignment rippling through his processor.
Working with one hand he continued to pet Ravage with the other, conversation shifting to smaller things and gossip that Soundwave would not be receiving as easily from the repair bay.
Soundwave exited Hook's medbay with all his symbiots docked, a move very intentional; it made him look more formidable after being beaten very close to deactivation in front of all the officers and many others. His frame still twinged with all the repairs, ached from some, and he did not yet have his full endurance, but he was functional enough to be seen by the general population.
While all that, scanning every mech who came close enough, glaring a threat to those who came too close, all he wanted was to reach his quarters and spend time with his lover.
Especially since the last time he had seen Prowl the Praxian had been rough shape himself, punished by Megatron for his 'failures' in the attack on Iacon. It meant little to the Decepticon leader that if Prowl had not taken charge Megatron might never have been recovered, and even if he had there would have been little left in the way of a functioning army for him to return to.
It made Soundwave hurt to know he had played a major hand in the damage his lover had taken time and again. If not for Soundwave's manipulations of Megatron's failing sanity, Prowl would not have been in danger.
~That's slag boss, and you know it,~ Rumble snapped. ~Old bucket helm was loosing it long before you touched him.~
Soundwave's reply was silence, guilt, but muted by the time he reached the quarters he would share with Prowl for the time.
Prowl rose the moment the door opened. He had given up working at his station and brought all of his work here. And he had known that Hook was going to let Soundwave go that orn, if not exactly when, and he wanted to be there.
"Soundwave: grateful to see Prowl," the giant greeted his lover as he stepped inside and the door shut behind him. "Prowl: was missed."
"So were you." Prowl informed him, crossing the short distance between and reaching out to Soundwave, wanting to be held but unwilling to risk stressing any of the large mech's still fresh repairs.
"Prowl: always welcome," Soundwave rumbled and knelt to pull the Praxian close, extending his field to wrap around Prowl in welcome. "Megatron: will be in stasis for a decaorn. Hook: most agreeable to the suggestion."
The Praxian relaxed against him, orns worth of stress and fitful recharge bleeding away. "After that display of temper I am not surprised. Though I doubt he will be pleased when he awakes."
Gentle hand wandered over the host's frame, noting the repairs that had been made and simply reassuring Prowl that his lover had returned. "No one has ever seen him so angry with you. It caused quite a stir among the forces who witnessed it. And word has spread among those who did not."
"Megatron: may not come out of stasis," Soundwave suggested, though Prowl knew him well enough to recognize the wishful nature of the statement.
"If only that was all it would take to end this." Prowl responded, enjoying the luxury of holding and being held for a moment.
"Agreed," Soundwave whispered, kissing Prowl's helm. "Prowl: will be safe," he promised.
Prowl shook his head, the most he was willing to offer by the way of argument at the moment. They were at war. No one was safe. Iacon had proved that.
Twitching, Prowl turned his attention to more immediate things, refusing to sink into that place right now. "Did Hook make you refuel before he turned you loose?"
"Affirmative," Soundwave answered before claiming a kiss with gentle strokes along his armor. "Prowl: refueled?"
"Not yet." He had been waiting until Soundwave returned in case the mech hadn't. There was plenty for both of them just in case. "And it's not urgent."
"Prowl: refuel while Prowl and Soundwave discuss the future." Soundwave rose and nudged his lover towards the berth, the only place in these quarters where they could both sit. It was too new to have set up an entertainment area for the symbiots yet, or even a reading area for the mechs.
Prowl sighed softly as he obediently retrieved the energon. While it was not something he wanted to do, he acknowledged it was necessary. Energon in hand he settled on the berth, frame touching his lover's as he was embraced once more. He accepted the hardline cable he was offered, his memory core and battle computer already keying up for the promised massive download of tactical information.
~Soundwave: loves Prowl,~ was the first thing that passed between them instead.
Prowl shivered and pressed into the larger mech, energon forgotten as he searched inside himself for a long moment.
When he spoke it was truth and belief, highlighted with an edge of fear. ~Love you.~
~Love: worth all pain.~ Soundwave told him with all the conviction he possessed. ~Prowl: worth everything.~
A soft whimper from the Praxian at the weight of being valued so much, sure what he felt in return now was love. Sure as he had not been the first time the large mech had informed Prowl of how much he meant to Soundwave. The realization was received with a deep wash of gratitude and pleasure from Soundwave.
~Soundwave and Prowl: will be reunited. In functioning or in the Well,~ Soundwave continued, completely at peace with either option. ~Primus: would not have sent Prowl to Soundwave to separate Prowl and Soundwave for all time.~
Conviction. Complete conviction.
It was all Soundwave could offer.
It was enough as Prowl drew comfort from Soundwave's peace, calming and turning his attention back to the energon he was still holding.
If Soundwave said it, in this it must be true.
For a klik or so he sat in silence, refueling to have the strength to face the plan he did not want to create. It was going to be messy, with a high casualty count, no matter how perfectly it went. The odds of them both surviving to meet again in this functioning were low enough that Prowl needed his lover's conviction just to look.
The war, the situation, was no longer one that could be quickly solved.
With the energon finished, Prowl dissipated the empty cube with a spark of energy and prepared to face the inevitable.
~My agents, my contacts, my intel,~ Soundwave offered a surprisingly small datapack.
When Prowl opened it, he understood why. This was only the memory address, size, brief content description and password to the actual files.
~Thank you.~ Prowl murmured, glancing over the files and prioritizing them initially, leaving the notations open so he could access them as they worked.
Finally he vented softly. ~Where do you wish to begin?~
~Goal: what is it?~ Soundwave asked, simply to confirm they had the same goal.
~To end this.~
To end the insanity with as few casualties as possible. To fix things so that by the mercy of Primus there was no need for a full scale rebellion again. To do whatever was needed to bring this war to a close so that they could live in peace.
~Proposal: Prowl: ally with new Lord Prime. Prowl: fix their problems. Soundwave: hinder, remove Decepticons.~
A very broad outline, one that had all of Prowl's focus working on the details, the specifics, the sheer complexity of what sounded so simple on the surface.
And the hard truth that he still did not want to face. ~Don't want to be apart.~
~Soundwave: does not desire to part. Plan: requires either Soundwave or Prowl to defect. Prowl: more suited to the Autobots. Prowl: more easily accepted in the Autobots.~
~Truth.~ Prowl agreed quietly, pained.
Pain was pushed aside as he went to work on the details. ~They will not trust easily. I will need a clear reason for leaving, and a situation so my return is implausible. And time.~
~Reason: Prowl wished to leave Soundwave. Soundwave: intolerant of Prowl's true love. Prowl: will be introduced to the Autobots by Korrës. Korrës: has many allies in the Autobots. Prowl and Jazz: will be accepted. Bonus: Prowl can continue training under Korrës.~
Part of Prowl cringed at the mention of Jazz by Soundwave, at his feelings and the confusion he still felt about the silver mech. The plan was sound, the reason beyond believable...except for Prowl's wonder at how much of Soundwave's displeasure was true.
~If Korrës has contacts that will aid in their acceptance of me it would speed the plan. Especially if I am to gain the favor, or the trust, of whomever the Matrix chooses as the next Prime.~
~Soundwave: accepts Prowk's love of Jazz. Jazz: gives Prowl something Soundwave can not. Soundwave: grieves Soundwave is not enough.~ The giant held Prowl close, trying to allow the Praxian to feel the truth of the words. ~Soundwave: loves Prowl. Soundwave: wishes Prowl to be happy. Jazz: makes Prowl happy. Jazz: ... has honest feelings for Prowl.~
Despite the truth of the words the grief that came with them tore at Prowl. He could not put into words what Jazz fulfilled in him, just his own sorrow that his selfishness caused Soundwave pain and another truth.
Jazz would never be what Soundwave was to Prowl, could never complete those parts of Prowl that belonged to the host and only to the host.
He pressed into the embrace. ~Enough. Always enough.~ Prowl would always need the host, wanted Soundwave to understand, even if Prowl was confusing himself trying to make sense of it all.
~Soundwave: understands,~ the host promised, holding him close. ~Soundwave: loves Prowl. Soundwave: loves symbiots. Love: not a limited thing. Prowl: loves Soundwave. Prowl: loves Jazz. Soundwave: accepts Jazz with Prowl.~
Understanding and permission, a relief to Prowl even if it still bothered him. Thankfulness and pure love washed across the connection. He would not be alone, and when they ended this war they would all be together, or so he prayed.
Still shaken but relieved, Prowl laid his helm against Soundwave's chest comfortably and turned his attention back to planning. ~There is little reason to make plans around the new Prime until we know who it is going to be.~
~Agreed. Prowl: must plan to acquire the Lord Prime's trust when Prowl is an Autobot,~ Soundwave said quietly. ~Prowl: able to stage breaking up with Soundwave; hate and fear Soundwave?~
~Since I must. But don't ask me to manage it for long.~ Prowl pleaded, thankful that there was little reason they should have to drag it out. An explosive ending to their stable relationship of many vorns followed quickly by Prowl's defection would be the gossip for weeks, and an excellent cover.
~Cover: must be maintained among the Autobots. Korrës, Jazz: only ones who may know. New Lord Prime: after Prime trusts Prowl.~
~Agreed.~ But at least among the Autobots Prowl would not have to appear to live in open disagreement with the host in front of an audience, or walk around as though he lived in fear of the mech he loved. At least among the Autobots all he should have to do is mirror the general attitude towards Soundwave; to not correct those who spoke against him. Unpleasant, but far easier to maintain.
It would be convenient, if he could be trusted, for the new Prime to know some of the details as well. The sooner the better, Prowl hoped, if only for increasing the Soundwave's safety on the battlefield, however marginal.
~I go. You stay.~ Prowl repeated, though it was more to convince himself than to check over a point they had already covered. ~You keep Megatron under control as much as possible while we both work towards finding a way to bring Shockwave down and I gain the trust of the new Prime.~
~Affirmative,~ Soundwave tipped Prowl chip in to kiss him. ~Incentive: reunion.~
~With you.~ Prowl moaned, melting into the kiss and optics going dim, hands beginning to wander over the large frame once more, and this time not merely seeking to reassure and give comfort.
~Affirmative,~ Soundwave moaned between their minds, a sudden flush of arousal sharper and more intense than before. With that arousal came the undeniable feeling that much of the extra intensity was because Prowl was indicating, that Prowl desired this as more than a response to Soundwave's desires.
The Praxian whimpered softly, making it clear that he wanted as he pressed into the kiss, sensor panels flaring slightly. Large hands stroked Prowl's frame while tentacles reached to encircle and caress the delicate sensor wings.
~Prowl: my beautiful love,~ Soundwave shuddered, the pleasure growing quickly in response to touch. ~Prowl: spike Soundwave?~ the giant asked, hesitant but wanting very much.
Golden optics flashed, sensor panels quivering as Prowl curled against Soundwave's chest, hands stroking over plating without ceasing as Prowl processed the request and the want quickly.
Finally he looked up at Soundwave, hesitant himself and seeking confirmation. ~You want?~
~Affirmative,~ Soundwave nodded, opening himself up a little more to Prowl, wishing his lover to know how genuine the desire was.
Shyness, uncertainty, as Prowl kissed him again before slowly beginning to work his way down the giant's frame. Glossa teased for a moment at Soundwave's neck before following the path Prowl's hands were tracing over the broad chest, searching to please. Every touch was greeted with a sound of pleasure, a flare of desire and arousal, a wordless, silent plea for more as Soundwave slowly lay back and spread his legs to bare his valve as the cover slid open.
A pause as Prowl paid special attention to Soundwave's ribs, knowing exactly how sensitive they were and gathering himself, concentrating on the sounds he was pulling from the larger mech and allowing them to feed his own desire.
From ribs to hips, and finally to that bared valve where Prowl stopped, quivering.
Soundwave trembled, desire running hot enough to burn. His optics were locked on Prowl, watching his lover, wanting, more than anything, to feel Prowl in this one way they had never shared before. To know Prowl's pleasure in every possible way to sustain him through the long vorns until they could be together again.
Tentative fingers circled the valve, then glossa, teasing and tasting. Prowl vented sharply as Soundwave's desire washed over him, craving the closeness as much as his lover.
"Prowl!" Soundwave arched, pressing his hips into the touch, his body aching for more.
A moan escaped Prowl, glossa continuing to work as the Praxian reached up, fingers working into hip joints. Hesitation faded away with his lover's response, Prowl's cover sliding away and spike finally pressurizing. It didn't take long for his powerful processor to catch on that every time he felt a small rise he also felt a jolt of pleasure from Soundwave.
~Sensor node,~ Soundwave answered as his tentacles reached to stroke Prowl's sensor wings.
Prowl groaned in understanding, momentarily distracted as his back arched, wings pressing into the touch before he re-focused, concentrating on using this new understanding to drive his lover into an overload.
Large strong hands gripped the berth as Soundwave moaned, his hips rocking into Prowl's efforts with ever increment closer he came to overload. Across the hardline and telepathy everything flowed freely both ways, causing Prowl to moan with every jolt of pleasure he gave Soundwave.
Prowl struggled to control his own reactions, determined to please his lover thoroughly. If he was leaving he was going to leave Soundwave with memories to make what they were doing worth it.
Fingers dove into joints, seeking to drive Soundwave the edge.
"Prowl!" Soundwave roared as his entire frame arched off the berth, his overload-bliss slamming into Prowl with the force of Megatron's fusion cannon even before the electrical storm crashed into his frame from the much larger one under his.
Prowl cried out, shaking from the energy rocking his entire frame and the openly shared pleasure from his lover. Optics focused, centered on Soundwave, reveling in the sight of the larger mech's pleasure as Prowl gave in, pushed to his own overload at the sight.
The Praxian fell across the larger mech, systems working furiously to dispel the charge as Prowl waited, content for the moment.
~Prowl: thank you,~ Soundwave managed as he dragged himself from the lax mental state of post-overload.
~You're welcome,~ Prowl purred, pleased, and his hands stroked softly over Soundwave's ribs again, his own systems still running high. ~Not done yet?~ Question and offer, Soundwave's original request still present.
~Soundwave: desires more,~ he rumbled, his tentacles gently squeezing and stroking Prowl's sensor wings. ~Prowl: enjoy?~ he sent a picture-thought of Prowl spike deep in Soundwave's valve while Soundwave stretched and filled Prowl's valve with a thick tentacle.
The Praxian moaned eagerly in agreement, but forced his valve cover to remain closed for a moment. Instead he shifted to sink his spike into Soundwave's valve, wanting that to be his entire focus for the moment. Pleasure once again rippled across the hardline, but along with it was Soundwave's emotional joy at sharing this new pleasure with Prowl.
Soundwave rippled his valve around Prowl's spike. He would never be as tight as Jazz was for Prowl, but as the Praxian moaned it was clear that for Prowl this was pure pleasure.
Looking up, Prowl caught his lovers attention, golden optics glowing as he pulled out and thrust in, slowly, reveling in the sensations. Soundwave moaned again, shuddering in shared ecstasy as small zaps began to jump between their frames, and especially through the highly conductive lubricant between spike and valve.
~Prowl: yesss!~ Soundwave gasped, trembling as his tentacles stroked Prowl's valve cover, seeking entrance.
Purring, Prowl teased for a few more thrusts, focusing entirely on Soundwave before he lost the fight and his valve cover slid aside. The thick fullness that invaded his awareness whited Prowl's awareness out for a brief moment. The bliss of a thick tentacle driving into him, the intensity of having a smaller one spiraled around it to create an endless sequence of ridges, the intense pleasure of Soundwave's bliss at his own.
Prowl latched on to Soundwave, keen escaping his vocalizer as pleasure overwhelmed him for a moment. Panting, his grip loosened to stroke over plating and he pressed his hips back, questioning.
Soundwave nodded. Yes-want-please-love rushing into Prowl from both hardline and the telepathy he had come to find incredibly comforting.
With a moan Prowl pulled back and thrust in, harder than before as his own feelings fed freely over the links between them. Desire to pleasure as much as he was being pleasured. To share how right this was. To love as he was loved.
~Prowl,~ Soundwave moaned, everything he felt for Prowl, physical and emotional, rippling outwards to enfold the Praxian in Soundwave's pleasure, love and devotion.
Accepted, acknowledged, and returned as the emotional blended with the physical, pushing Prowl towards release. Just being loved and wanted as much as Soundwave wanted and loved him was enough to overload him on the spot, and the only thing holding him back was the desire for Soundwave to be with him.
That his desires mattered so much to Soundwave was yet another level of ecstasy as they fed off each other's pleasure, shameless in their adoration, their desire to please. In less than a klik Prowl felt Soundwave's overload begin to ripple outwards as well as inwards.
"Prowl!" Soundwave moaned, his frame trembling as he let go.
Prowl held off just long enough to feel Soundwave go over the edge, to take in the sight and sensation of his lover in absolute bliss before joining him, conscious blanking out from overload on multiple levels.
When he checked back in with reality, Prowl found himself sprawled on top of Soundwave's backstrut, inside his ribs, with his spark pulsing in near-unison with his lover's.
"Soundwave: will miss Prowl a great deal."
Post overload contentment vanished as Prowl came abruptly back to the present. With a sigh he reached out, fingers running lightly over the hosts ribs. "As I will miss you."
Soundwave hummed. "Prowl: energy for merging sparks before recharge?"
"Always."
The reply was immediate and accompanied by action as Prowl rose to face his lover, desire strong and with it a hint of desperation. He reached up, touching Soundwave's face gently before pressing his lips to the larger mechs. The kiss was returned with matching desire and desperation-driven fear.
~Soundwave: will be with Prowl when this war ends,~ he promised with all the conviction he possessed.
Prowl didn't bother with words, chest plates opening and baring his spark, full of hope and belief in Soundwave. The host trembled under him, still in awe that Prowl wanted to be his, that thousands of vorns of desire and quiet watching had finally been answered.
~Soundwave: loves Prowl,~ he moaned as his chest plates parted and his spark chamber spiraled open, offering himself, everything he had, everything he might have or be, to the spark that had captured his own so completely.
~Love you.~ Prowl answered as he eased his spark down, the brilliant light already reaching out for the spark that called for it.